I feel the intense urge this morning to speak out against the atrocity that is our public education system. We live in a country where mediocrity is considered above average and "good enough" is accepted, why else do you think we had a C-student, yahoo in office for the past eight years? What brings me to these somewhat nihilistic conclusions you say?
I was walking from a movie screening this past weekend (no it wasn't Twilight) talking to my sister about my reaction to what I just saw. Somehow or another, Shakespeare came up. I asked, "You do know who Shakespeare is right?" And she replied plainly, "Um, some guy who's famous for writing something."
WHAT! Seriously? The only thing my 13-year old sister knows about the most famous literary/playwright in the world is that he wrote some stuff? Now, my little sister's no genius but she is certainly very intelligent and academically advanced for her age. The problem is, she's not being taught these things in school. There are assessments, I think, either each quarter or at least each semester and the one requirement for teachers, get your students to pass the test. Thus the students can learn only what is included in the test. Shakespeare didn't make the cut this year? Oh well, who needs a literary foundation anyway?
Foreign language programs are being reduced, Latin isn't taught, or even so much as hinted at anymore in some places. In other schools, there's only one foreign language offered and it may or may not be a requirement to take it.
The biggest problem with this "teach the test" system is the severe impact it's going to have on these students when it's time to go to college. If they have only ever learned to do "Brief Constructed Responses (BCRs)" how are they going to write that ten page paper on the Socratic method? Will they even have heard of Socrates before college? Will they know how to structure a paper, or what parallelism is; how about introductions and conclusions? College professors don't care about what you know and don't know or what you were taught and what you weren't; they will teach their curriculum to the standard of whatever university they inhabit and it matters little that all you know how to do is fill in bubbles on a piece of paper.
And what about literary works? I'm sorry, but as much as I love the Harry Potter books they are LEISURE READS! Why anyone would think it appropriate to put them on the same reading list as Dickens, Hemingway, Steinbeck, or Fitzgerald is beyond me. There is so much importance in covering the classics, not only to see how far we've come, but to expand the potential of where we can go. Students' ambitions are no longer nurtured in our society, they are levied. Now there are some teachers who are going rogue from this system and I take my hat off to them. Their students will be better off than most. For the rest who have no choice but to conform to the system, their students are on the path to "The Monkey House" and yes that was a Vonnegut reference.
And while I'm on the subject of eccentrically prophetic Kurt Vonnegut, doesn't this education system sound a little like Harrison Bergeron? We are a nation fueled by competitiveness and yet we stifle the intellectual possibilities of our young students. If you're a parent or a cousin or a big sister/brother, or just a friend of a friend with someone in grade school, drop what you're doing, take their hand, drag them to the library (that place where the books are collecting dust) and introduce them to a world beyond the video game and the TV. Prepare them for the world of higher education by giving them an actual one now.
I want to personally thank every teacher I had for teaching me not only how to learn but equipping me with the knowledge to survive in an ever-changing society; because today, in light of a poor attempt to move forward, we have done the exact opposite and left every child behind.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Beef With Religion
Before you take out your pitchforks, which I’m sure some of you are already brandishing, let me clarify my delightfully ostentatious title. I am not, nor have I ever been against faith; I consider myself a person of faith. My qualm is with the institution itself.
I was born into a Catholic family and thus raised Catholic; I declared myself non-denominational once I left the nest and have since reaffirmed my belief system to be purely spiritual. Like the rest of humanity, I am a product of indoctrination so I will never tell someone their faith is wrong unless they use their belief system to justify hating or hurting someone else.
There are some major things I don’t get about religious institutions and some minor things; one of the biggest has to be the assertion that one is better than the other. I am no self-proscribed theologian but what I know about all major religions is that they all have a sense of purpose outlined for their brethren; a kind of guide to where they fit in with the rest of the world. If so, then why profess that your “God” is better than their god? Aren’t we all talking about the same being? Why are your doctrines better than others? Why is your religion the “real truth” and everyone else’s false? Doesn’t that undermine the very ideology of faith? “The belief in something that you consider true,” is the same definition every other person of faith occupies.
It always seemed weird to me that people felt it was bashing God to go and survey some other denomination’s service. The people at the other service haven’t burst into flames yet, why would you? In fact, viewing other ways people perceive their faith can only strengthen yours. If you take everything at face value and never question what I like to call the “prophetic rhetoric” you are not faithful, you are complacent.
That same blind complacency leads to fear, intolerance and yes H8TE (those of you up on the times know why I chose to spell it that way). Personally, I would think some being of divine, cosmic proportion would be above simple human feelings and emotions (i.e. vengeance, jealously, rage, etc.). I find it funny how a person can stand on a soapbox and preach that God destroyed one place or another for whatever reason and in the same breath denounce Greek mythology other polytheistic religions with similar theories.
There’s also the issue of Christian denominations; why the variance? If Jesus Christ supposedly set the record straight, why are there different strokes for different folks? This speaks clearly to the truth argument; how can some pick the parts of the bible they want to follow and others pick different parts, then both say their way is THE way?
Trust me, I’m all for you loving your God and worshiping him/her/it and being thankful for his/hers/its gifts; but as someone who identifies as simply spiritual I don’t want your beliefs imposed upon me. I love having discussions about religion within reason; the line gets drawn when someone says, “(Insert divinity here) said …” Did you get some kind of message from this deity? Did they send you an IM on AOL? No, of course not, that would be absurd, right? Then why do people constantly fall under discrimination and condemnation for what a deity “says”.
Let’s take a current issue; a same-sex marriage ban just recently, and I think illegally, passed in California by people who lied to Californians and then justified it with religious reasons. It was their duty to protect the tradition of marriage as God intended. Not to be crass but WTF? The tradition of monogamous marriage was created and indoctrinated for social/financial reasons, as are most institutions in the world. Know why priests can’t get married anymore? The Vatican decided that their money should go back to them and not to the priest’s widows upon their death. If you don’t believe me, Google it.
Look, the marriage preservation argument was used a couple of years ago (listen up people of color) during the anti-miscegenation trials. But let’s pop out of our bubble for a moment to look at the history of marriage. Before it was backed by the church, it was a social practice in which a man would take a wife, or many (yes, we were property ladies) in order to produce an heir to his fortune or for other reasons. Often daughters were sold for land, crops, etc. Divorce was legalized and outlawed several times and it always came down to money. The argument was simple, the man will impregnate the woman, they’ll have a kid and they will have to spend more money.
What baffles me is people’s asinine belief that they are somehow making the world a better place by denying rights to other human beings, that they are doing “God’s work”. First of all, God supposedly doesn’t like gay sex anymore than he likes shellfish. Yet people conveniently skip over that part in order to protect their right to eat crabs. And homosexuality, a word that wasn’t created until the late 19th century, could not possibly be in the bible, anywhere! If anything, Jesus talks about the values of loving one another as you would love yourself. I think if God hated the gays there wouldn’t be 20 and 30-year couples in loving relationships with families. I don’t see how someone can say that having a deep, intimate love and respect for someone is somehow wrong in the eyes of God.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s a tragedy when people let their religion trump their humanity. No good can come of oppression, and no truth can come of blind complacency. People of all faiths should be able to break bread with the understanding that though their faiths may vary, the tolerance and affirmation of their way of life is a main course everyone can stomach.
I was born into a Catholic family and thus raised Catholic; I declared myself non-denominational once I left the nest and have since reaffirmed my belief system to be purely spiritual. Like the rest of humanity, I am a product of indoctrination so I will never tell someone their faith is wrong unless they use their belief system to justify hating or hurting someone else.
There are some major things I don’t get about religious institutions and some minor things; one of the biggest has to be the assertion that one is better than the other. I am no self-proscribed theologian but what I know about all major religions is that they all have a sense of purpose outlined for their brethren; a kind of guide to where they fit in with the rest of the world. If so, then why profess that your “God” is better than their god? Aren’t we all talking about the same being? Why are your doctrines better than others? Why is your religion the “real truth” and everyone else’s false? Doesn’t that undermine the very ideology of faith? “The belief in something that you consider true,” is the same definition every other person of faith occupies.
It always seemed weird to me that people felt it was bashing God to go and survey some other denomination’s service. The people at the other service haven’t burst into flames yet, why would you? In fact, viewing other ways people perceive their faith can only strengthen yours. If you take everything at face value and never question what I like to call the “prophetic rhetoric” you are not faithful, you are complacent.
That same blind complacency leads to fear, intolerance and yes H8TE (those of you up on the times know why I chose to spell it that way). Personally, I would think some being of divine, cosmic proportion would be above simple human feelings and emotions (i.e. vengeance, jealously, rage, etc.). I find it funny how a person can stand on a soapbox and preach that God destroyed one place or another for whatever reason and in the same breath denounce Greek mythology other polytheistic religions with similar theories.
There’s also the issue of Christian denominations; why the variance? If Jesus Christ supposedly set the record straight, why are there different strokes for different folks? This speaks clearly to the truth argument; how can some pick the parts of the bible they want to follow and others pick different parts, then both say their way is THE way?
Trust me, I’m all for you loving your God and worshiping him/her/it and being thankful for his/hers/its gifts; but as someone who identifies as simply spiritual I don’t want your beliefs imposed upon me. I love having discussions about religion within reason; the line gets drawn when someone says, “(Insert divinity here) said …” Did you get some kind of message from this deity? Did they send you an IM on AOL? No, of course not, that would be absurd, right? Then why do people constantly fall under discrimination and condemnation for what a deity “says”.
Let’s take a current issue; a same-sex marriage ban just recently, and I think illegally, passed in California by people who lied to Californians and then justified it with religious reasons. It was their duty to protect the tradition of marriage as God intended. Not to be crass but WTF? The tradition of monogamous marriage was created and indoctrinated for social/financial reasons, as are most institutions in the world. Know why priests can’t get married anymore? The Vatican decided that their money should go back to them and not to the priest’s widows upon their death. If you don’t believe me, Google it.
Look, the marriage preservation argument was used a couple of years ago (listen up people of color) during the anti-miscegenation trials. But let’s pop out of our bubble for a moment to look at the history of marriage. Before it was backed by the church, it was a social practice in which a man would take a wife, or many (yes, we were property ladies) in order to produce an heir to his fortune or for other reasons. Often daughters were sold for land, crops, etc. Divorce was legalized and outlawed several times and it always came down to money. The argument was simple, the man will impregnate the woman, they’ll have a kid and they will have to spend more money.
What baffles me is people’s asinine belief that they are somehow making the world a better place by denying rights to other human beings, that they are doing “God’s work”. First of all, God supposedly doesn’t like gay sex anymore than he likes shellfish. Yet people conveniently skip over that part in order to protect their right to eat crabs. And homosexuality, a word that wasn’t created until the late 19th century, could not possibly be in the bible, anywhere! If anything, Jesus talks about the values of loving one another as you would love yourself. I think if God hated the gays there wouldn’t be 20 and 30-year couples in loving relationships with families. I don’t see how someone can say that having a deep, intimate love and respect for someone is somehow wrong in the eyes of God.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s a tragedy when people let their religion trump their humanity. No good can come of oppression, and no truth can come of blind complacency. People of all faiths should be able to break bread with the understanding that though their faiths may vary, the tolerance and affirmation of their way of life is a main course everyone can stomach.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Why Joe Biden Didn't Throw the Gays Under the Bus
To all of you, who were disgusted with Biden's comment last night regarding same-sex marriage, pump your brakes. The misconception of his statement is bleeding heavily and needs to stop. This is what Joe Biden said:
"In an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple. The fact of the matter is that under the Constitution we should be granted - same-sex couples should be able to have visitation rights in the hospitals, joint ownership of property, life insurance policies, et cetera. That’s only fair. It’s what the Constitution calls for. And so we do support it. We do support making sure that committed couples in a same-sex marriage are guaranteed the same constitutional benefits as it relates to their property rights, their rights of visitation, their rights to insurance, their rights of ownership as heterosexual couples do."
What does that sound like to me? It sounds like a civil union, which is what heterosexual couples get when they secure a license in front of a justice of the peace. So when he said that they don't support changing the traditional views of marriage he meant exactly that. The word "Marriage" is purely religious and is deemed to those whose nuptials are performed in the church. Separate but equal has no part in this debate, yes, but what Biden and Obama support is simply equal. They can't legally make any church or religious organization recognize gay couples; but in the event they get married, however they choose, they will be guaranteed all civil rights and protections under federal law. You can read that on Obama's page as well as on www.hrc.org.
Additionally, Obama has promised to work for the passage of ENDA, the Matthew Shepard act and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is the closest America has gotten to recognizing gay rights from a major political candidate. Come on gays, I mean guys, get your underwear out of a bunch. So what, your catholic church won't marry you, several churches have rules about whom they will marry and even end up turning away heterosexual couples. An Obama/Biden administration would be both tolerant and affirming; and by the way, Obama's church recognizes same-sex marriage. Don't get caught up in semantics, especially facing the opposition.
Wanna know what Palin said last night? Her head nearly exploded getting the words out of her mouth when she said, [referring to benefits] "Not if it goes closer and closer towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman. And unfortunately that’s sometimes where those steps lead." Then she went on about how diverse her family was and how "tolerant" she was.
Again, this is right along the lines of "I have black friends so I can't be racist". Let me remind you that Palin has been quoted before asserting that being gay is a choice. Could it be that's why she's neither affirmed nor disclaimed her church's support for the "pray away the gay" conference? What do you think a McCain/Palin administration would do for LGBT rights? For that matter, what would it do for women's rights? The answer, take us back 100 years. People like Harvey Milk, the Stonewall protesters and others bore the brunt of society so we wouldn't have to. If homosexuality and gender identity are re-criminalized, their contributions will have been in vein. Please, get off your ass and educate people about what's at stake in this election. Let me put it this way, you don't want to wake up on November 5th and wonder if there was something else you could have done.
DO SOMETHING!
"In an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple. The fact of the matter is that under the Constitution we should be granted - same-sex couples should be able to have visitation rights in the hospitals, joint ownership of property, life insurance policies, et cetera. That’s only fair. It’s what the Constitution calls for. And so we do support it. We do support making sure that committed couples in a same-sex marriage are guaranteed the same constitutional benefits as it relates to their property rights, their rights of visitation, their rights to insurance, their rights of ownership as heterosexual couples do."
What does that sound like to me? It sounds like a civil union, which is what heterosexual couples get when they secure a license in front of a justice of the peace. So when he said that they don't support changing the traditional views of marriage he meant exactly that. The word "Marriage" is purely religious and is deemed to those whose nuptials are performed in the church. Separate but equal has no part in this debate, yes, but what Biden and Obama support is simply equal. They can't legally make any church or religious organization recognize gay couples; but in the event they get married, however they choose, they will be guaranteed all civil rights and protections under federal law. You can read that on Obama's page as well as on www.hrc.org.
Additionally, Obama has promised to work for the passage of ENDA, the Matthew Shepard act and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is the closest America has gotten to recognizing gay rights from a major political candidate. Come on gays, I mean guys, get your underwear out of a bunch. So what, your catholic church won't marry you, several churches have rules about whom they will marry and even end up turning away heterosexual couples. An Obama/Biden administration would be both tolerant and affirming; and by the way, Obama's church recognizes same-sex marriage. Don't get caught up in semantics, especially facing the opposition.
Wanna know what Palin said last night? Her head nearly exploded getting the words out of her mouth when she said, [referring to benefits] "Not if it goes closer and closer towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman. And unfortunately that’s sometimes where those steps lead." Then she went on about how diverse her family was and how "tolerant" she was.
Again, this is right along the lines of "I have black friends so I can't be racist". Let me remind you that Palin has been quoted before asserting that being gay is a choice. Could it be that's why she's neither affirmed nor disclaimed her church's support for the "pray away the gay" conference? What do you think a McCain/Palin administration would do for LGBT rights? For that matter, what would it do for women's rights? The answer, take us back 100 years. People like Harvey Milk, the Stonewall protesters and others bore the brunt of society so we wouldn't have to. If homosexuality and gender identity are re-criminalized, their contributions will have been in vein. Please, get off your ass and educate people about what's at stake in this election. Let me put it this way, you don't want to wake up on November 5th and wonder if there was something else you could have done.
DO SOMETHING!
Friday, September 26, 2008
McCain Voters, I Have to Say....
In the course of my election blogging I have tried not to be sophomoric or crass in my approach to express my opinion. However, I believe I may have let my tact override what I really want to say and based on the events that occurred yesterday, I'm afraid I can no longer hold it in.
This will be the only sophomoric statement in my note I promise. (Sarcastic wit does not count): People who STILL plan on voting for McCain; even after all of this, are either racist, blind & deaf(symbolically), fundamental nutcases, or just plain idiots. Now I'm all for freedom of speech and expressing your opinion but Jesus Christ have you been paying attention?
I'm sure that statement may have offended those of you who are considering the Arizona senator and so I apologize but trust that I will make my points sound and logical by the end of this note. Furthermore, if you're going to vote for McCain regardless, why do you care what I think?
Let's start with the fundamentals, after reading both candidates' plans and stances on the issues, I found McCain's to be lacking quality and depth for that matter. What Obama spelled out in a 33 page booklet [Obama's blueprint for change] McCain left to one paragraph per topic, or worse a few sentences that said more about his "personality" than any actual plan.
McCain's record has clearly supported corporations over people. No, I didn't get this information off Obama's web site or any other "liberal" news station. How your congressmen vote on any proposed bill is public record. We are a democracy, which means we have the power to hold our representatives accountable. You wouldn't let your attorney plead guilty for you if you wanted to plead non-guilty. But I digress, McCain has voted against equal pay for equal work, the quote he made about women needing more education and training is true, he's supported tax cuts to big companies, including Big Oil, he's against Roe v. Wade and thinks the constitution should be interpreted exactly as it was written (in the 18th century); his words from his mouth.
McCain opposes hate crime legislation that would protect women and LGBT citizens in the workplace, housing market, and on the street. Now I don't care if you think gays are going to hell because God sent you a memo saying so; no one deserves to be mistreated or beaten and tortured for who they are, no exceptions! The Matthew Shepard Act and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act would be a big step for marginalized people in this country and it's a shame that people let their religious beliefs trump their humanity.
McCain opposes a woman's right to choose, his running mate is even so staunch to oppose it in cases of rape & incest. Again, this is a big issue to a lot of folks but let's lay out the one fact coming from either decision: Women who want an abortion will find a way to get it, legal or illegal. Now, the fact that the law itself even has to be drawn out on the books is sad but I won't take up too much time debating. I'll just say, until we make it illegal for post-pubescent men to walk around without a permanent condom on, we cannot seriously consider punishing only half of the equation.
McCain has a record of making rash decisions, (Ahem, Sarah Palin, etc.) lying and backing it up with more lies, running a sleazy campaign with false, defaming ads and avoiding speaking about policy. If you haven't been paying attention he's trying to duck out of the debate tonight. It's not because there's an economic explosion/crisis (another lie) because he was fine with schmoozing and partying while the levees were breaking in New Orleans. In fact, the whole dog & pony show yesterday was a pathetic attempt at trying to make himself look good; which brings me to my next point.
In the past few weeks, John McCain has made moves ONLY to advance his political career. Country First has become Campaign First. Why do you think he showed up to that theatrical meeting yesterday with a campaign adviser? Obama came with a legislator, you know, those folks who make laws. So who was trying to advance his political career? Likewise, do you really think McCain picked Palin because he honestly thinks she is qualified to run? She's less "informed" than Bush (which is a nice way of saying she's ignorant). Laura Bush even said she had little experience but was a "quick learner". You wouldn't want a first year, or shall I say 18 month, med-student performing your brain surgery, why would you want someone running our country who needs practice?
With regards to this economic "snafu" (which is a nice way of saying ‘there goes my retirement’) McCain has tried his best to look like the hero who's saving us all; when in reality, his haste back to Washington and the alleged suspension of his campaign was stalled by not one but two speaking engagements in NY. He dissed Dave Letterman because he just "had to get back to Washington" but then did a Katie Couric interview at the same network, at the same time! McCain is not even on the committee responsible for re-doing the ridiculous 2 1/2 page proposal. In fact, until yesterday he hadn't even read it, furthermore, congress mentioned repeatedly that they did not need either of the candidates to reach a decision. The Bush photo-op yesterday actually hindered progress on the bill.
So what do you do when you're losing a match? You dance around the ring, you avoid hits and attack below the belt. I love how the Maverick's campaign suddenly had to come to a screeching halt (which it really didn't) once he started sliding in the polls. You really have to be completely naive if you don't see what he's doing. He’s already lying to you and he’s not even in office yet! Even “Fox Noise” is calling him out. Fox, his own propaganda machine, even thinks these Hail Mary passes are becoming a bit pathetic.
So, to you John McCain voters, if you're not convinced now that McCain has only McCain in mind and not you, just stay home on November 4th. Seriously though, this election is too important to stake on your ignorance.
This will be the only sophomoric statement in my note I promise. (Sarcastic wit does not count): People who STILL plan on voting for McCain; even after all of this, are either racist, blind & deaf(symbolically), fundamental nutcases, or just plain idiots. Now I'm all for freedom of speech and expressing your opinion but Jesus Christ have you been paying attention?
I'm sure that statement may have offended those of you who are considering the Arizona senator and so I apologize but trust that I will make my points sound and logical by the end of this note. Furthermore, if you're going to vote for McCain regardless, why do you care what I think?
Let's start with the fundamentals, after reading both candidates' plans and stances on the issues, I found McCain's to be lacking quality and depth for that matter. What Obama spelled out in a 33 page booklet [Obama's blueprint for change] McCain left to one paragraph per topic, or worse a few sentences that said more about his "personality" than any actual plan.
McCain's record has clearly supported corporations over people. No, I didn't get this information off Obama's web site or any other "liberal" news station. How your congressmen vote on any proposed bill is public record. We are a democracy, which means we have the power to hold our representatives accountable. You wouldn't let your attorney plead guilty for you if you wanted to plead non-guilty. But I digress, McCain has voted against equal pay for equal work, the quote he made about women needing more education and training is true, he's supported tax cuts to big companies, including Big Oil, he's against Roe v. Wade and thinks the constitution should be interpreted exactly as it was written (in the 18th century); his words from his mouth.
McCain opposes hate crime legislation that would protect women and LGBT citizens in the workplace, housing market, and on the street. Now I don't care if you think gays are going to hell because God sent you a memo saying so; no one deserves to be mistreated or beaten and tortured for who they are, no exceptions! The Matthew Shepard Act and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act would be a big step for marginalized people in this country and it's a shame that people let their religious beliefs trump their humanity.
McCain opposes a woman's right to choose, his running mate is even so staunch to oppose it in cases of rape & incest. Again, this is a big issue to a lot of folks but let's lay out the one fact coming from either decision: Women who want an abortion will find a way to get it, legal or illegal. Now, the fact that the law itself even has to be drawn out on the books is sad but I won't take up too much time debating. I'll just say, until we make it illegal for post-pubescent men to walk around without a permanent condom on, we cannot seriously consider punishing only half of the equation.
McCain has a record of making rash decisions, (Ahem, Sarah Palin, etc.) lying and backing it up with more lies, running a sleazy campaign with false, defaming ads and avoiding speaking about policy. If you haven't been paying attention he's trying to duck out of the debate tonight. It's not because there's an economic explosion/crisis (another lie) because he was fine with schmoozing and partying while the levees were breaking in New Orleans. In fact, the whole dog & pony show yesterday was a pathetic attempt at trying to make himself look good; which brings me to my next point.
In the past few weeks, John McCain has made moves ONLY to advance his political career. Country First has become Campaign First. Why do you think he showed up to that theatrical meeting yesterday with a campaign adviser? Obama came with a legislator, you know, those folks who make laws. So who was trying to advance his political career? Likewise, do you really think McCain picked Palin because he honestly thinks she is qualified to run? She's less "informed" than Bush (which is a nice way of saying she's ignorant). Laura Bush even said she had little experience but was a "quick learner". You wouldn't want a first year, or shall I say 18 month, med-student performing your brain surgery, why would you want someone running our country who needs practice?
With regards to this economic "snafu" (which is a nice way of saying ‘there goes my retirement’) McCain has tried his best to look like the hero who's saving us all; when in reality, his haste back to Washington and the alleged suspension of his campaign was stalled by not one but two speaking engagements in NY. He dissed Dave Letterman because he just "had to get back to Washington" but then did a Katie Couric interview at the same network, at the same time! McCain is not even on the committee responsible for re-doing the ridiculous 2 1/2 page proposal. In fact, until yesterday he hadn't even read it, furthermore, congress mentioned repeatedly that they did not need either of the candidates to reach a decision. The Bush photo-op yesterday actually hindered progress on the bill.
So what do you do when you're losing a match? You dance around the ring, you avoid hits and attack below the belt. I love how the Maverick's campaign suddenly had to come to a screeching halt (which it really didn't) once he started sliding in the polls. You really have to be completely naive if you don't see what he's doing. He’s already lying to you and he’s not even in office yet! Even “Fox Noise” is calling him out. Fox, his own propaganda machine, even thinks these Hail Mary passes are becoming a bit pathetic.
So, to you John McCain voters, if you're not convinced now that McCain has only McCain in mind and not you, just stay home on November 4th. Seriously though, this election is too important to stake on your ignorance.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
History Repeats to the Tune of $700 Billion
Friends and Family,
I'm sure if you've even remotely had your eyes open the past week or so you have witnessed our drastically failing economy. Now Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson wants us, the taxpayers, to write a blank check to give to Wall Street and Congress is actually considering it. What starts as $700 Billion dollars, which is already a huge chunk out of our pockets, can increase at any time according to the proposed bill. What makes matters worse, the bill calls for virtually no system of accountability, no checks and balances; we are just supposed to sign our livelihoods away to one guy and pray he doesn't screw up. I will note quickly that Paulson, we a significant part in why our economy is failing as badly as it is today. As CEO of Goldman Sachs, Paulson helped squander the once-firm economy even before he took office in Bush's cabinet.
I never thought I would see the day that capital interests came before human rights, but any of you who are familiar with the World Trade Organization know that day is already here. Implementing this bill as-is would be like burning our constitution. Paulson would have complete say over where the money, our money, is spent and cannot be held accountable for it.
So why say history is repeating itself? Let's time travel back to the Roman Empire, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, world power of it's time. What did Rome do when they got into trouble? They gave all the power to one man, Ceasar (a lot less friendly than the salad) and told him simply, "fix it". What happened? Rome fell.
Now for those of you who were skeptical about a mayor of a town of 9,000 potentially running a country, your hair has to be on fire about some CEO of a stock company that has already messed up big-time. Paulson will literally have no one to answer to, which means his decisions, trump our needs, everyone's needs. If you have an ounce of entitlement in your soul, please stand up to this proposed tyranny. We cannot afford to spend our money making the rich, richer while we're struggling to fill our gas tanks up.
Speaking of gas, did you know that yesterday Shell Oil opened an office in Bagdad, Iraq? It's been nearly fourty years since Iraq has allowed foreign oil companies into their lands. Now all of a sudden theyu're beginning to pop up. Does that raise some concerns for you? It should. Even scarier, the prime minister of Iraq says "they [the Bush administration] asked for a change in date (it would hve been 2010) due to political circumstances related to the domestic situation in the US." This quote was taken from the government's own public website www.opensource.gov. So for all of you who have been paying attention, let's see how many US oil companies pop up between 2010 and 2011; while our brave soldiers die and leave their familes with little to nothing, the oil companies have Christmas year-round.
Please let congress know that you do not support selling your freedom and soverignty to Big Oil. Start by telling them you want some accountability, start by telling them NO to the $700 Billion Bailout. Follow this link: http://ga3.org/campaign/congress_no_blank_check?rk=B7rG527qVZhPE to write your congressmen!
DO SOMETHING!
"A man who knows not his rights, has none."
I'm sure if you've even remotely had your eyes open the past week or so you have witnessed our drastically failing economy. Now Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson wants us, the taxpayers, to write a blank check to give to Wall Street and Congress is actually considering it. What starts as $700 Billion dollars, which is already a huge chunk out of our pockets, can increase at any time according to the proposed bill. What makes matters worse, the bill calls for virtually no system of accountability, no checks and balances; we are just supposed to sign our livelihoods away to one guy and pray he doesn't screw up. I will note quickly that Paulson, we a significant part in why our economy is failing as badly as it is today. As CEO of Goldman Sachs, Paulson helped squander the once-firm economy even before he took office in Bush's cabinet.
I never thought I would see the day that capital interests came before human rights, but any of you who are familiar with the World Trade Organization know that day is already here. Implementing this bill as-is would be like burning our constitution. Paulson would have complete say over where the money, our money, is spent and cannot be held accountable for it.
So why say history is repeating itself? Let's time travel back to the Roman Empire, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, world power of it's time. What did Rome do when they got into trouble? They gave all the power to one man, Ceasar (a lot less friendly than the salad) and told him simply, "fix it". What happened? Rome fell.
Now for those of you who were skeptical about a mayor of a town of 9,000 potentially running a country, your hair has to be on fire about some CEO of a stock company that has already messed up big-time. Paulson will literally have no one to answer to, which means his decisions, trump our needs, everyone's needs. If you have an ounce of entitlement in your soul, please stand up to this proposed tyranny. We cannot afford to spend our money making the rich, richer while we're struggling to fill our gas tanks up.
Speaking of gas, did you know that yesterday Shell Oil opened an office in Bagdad, Iraq? It's been nearly fourty years since Iraq has allowed foreign oil companies into their lands. Now all of a sudden theyu're beginning to pop up. Does that raise some concerns for you? It should. Even scarier, the prime minister of Iraq says "they [the Bush administration] asked for a change in date (it would hve been 2010) due to political circumstances related to the domestic situation in the US." This quote was taken from the government's own public website www.opensource.gov. So for all of you who have been paying attention, let's see how many US oil companies pop up between 2010 and 2011; while our brave soldiers die and leave their familes with little to nothing, the oil companies have Christmas year-round.
Please let congress know that you do not support selling your freedom and soverignty to Big Oil. Start by telling them you want some accountability, start by telling them NO to the $700 Billion Bailout. Follow this link: http://ga3.org/campaign/congress_no_blank_check?rk=B7rG527qVZhPE to write your congressmen!
DO SOMETHING!
"A man who knows not his rights, has none."
Monday, September 15, 2008
Dr. McJekyl & Mrs. Palin
Before yesterday I was unsure that the republicans could get any uglier but I was sadly proven wrong. Gov. Palin's attempt to rally her troops at the convention also served as a big "Up Yours" to the rest of the American public. It was almost unbearable to watch; sure it was a good speech, but I hear so were Hitler's. At no point did she discuss policy, action, or plans; except, of course, in erroneously bashing Obama's policies.
What bothered me most was not her hypocrisy, which I'll speak on later, but her blatant alienation of everyone who has ever worked for change in our country. Hey Palin, those "community organizers" you so foolishly mocked last night are the only reason you're even standing there! Correct me if I'm wrong but "community activism" or rather the solidarity of the American people has been the cornerstone of nearly every major movement in this country! Let's list some shall we:
1. The Abolitionist Movement - Ended Slavery, Helped Establish 14th Amendment
2. The Suffrage Movement - Voting Rights for Women, otherwise Palin would still be her husband's property
3. The Civil Rights Movement - Yeah Palin Martin Luther King was a "silly community organizer" too right?
4. The Black Panther Party - Fed more children in 10 months than the government did in 10 years
5. Unions - Were formed by working "community organizers"
6. Planned Parenthood - Could have probably given your daughter some birth control
7. The Obama Camp - a nation full of "community organizers" you just insulted, and we're gonna make you pay for it at the ballot box!
How dare your party criticize Obama for being an elitist and, in the same breath, look down upon the pioneers of this great nation! This is just the start of your long list of hypocrisy.
You get on the news and say, keeping the baby was my daughter's decision and the people/media should respect it, yet you're running a campaign that lets the government take the decision from other women, other families, even in the case of rape on incest. Moms with young daughters have to know what's at stake. When, yes I said when, your daughter decides to have sex will she have access to birth control? Or will you have to come out of pocket to pay for them because the federal government doesn't require insurance companies to pay for it? Or will you have to drive half-way across town because the clerk at your local pharmacy reserves his religious right not to fill your prescription? With no sex education will your daughter even know the risks of NOT practicing safe sex?
You bash Obama's experience, he's been running a campaign longer than you're been governor! You tear yourself away from the "Boys in Washington" but you have them introduce you, defend you, and speak about how great you'll be. You call Hillary a whiner and in the same breath invoke her great accomplishments as a stepping stone in your career. You spew lies and make generalizations about Obama's policies while never documenting any of your own, or McCain's for that matter.
You, Madam Governor, are a hypocrite, a liar, and an elitist. Go ahead, keep making fun of the community organizers, we'll organize to call you out on your lies. Keep preaching your "sexism" defense when they ask you about your pastor who said the war on terror was God's revenge against the Jews because they did not accept Christ. I bet Fox News won't bring that up. Furthermore, I don't know what they teach out there in Alaska but Jesus Christ was a JEW! Christianity is a religion formed from his teachings so Jesus himself could not have been a Christian. No, Obama's name isn't on any bill in Congress, he was too busy trying to bridge the divide your party created. Go ahead and make fun of his momentous and historical speech last Thursday, more people will be watching NFL football than your candidate; the football game will probably have more substance. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones; that goes the same for igloos!
It's not about Obama, as he himself so fervently put it, it's about the American people; the "community organizers" who got sprayed with water hoses, beaten, raped, murdered, bitten by dogs and criminalized so that you, Governor Palin, don't have to. You can just ride your high horse on the stage and dismiss everyone else. You might believe in Jesus but you aren't anyone’s savior.
It is ever more important now for us to rise up; show Palin and McCain that community organizers can and will win elections. Friends, tap your neighbors, your family; register them to vote! Explain to them why Obama is the representation of America's future and let's make the next 61 days count! Perhaps on November 5th, when we're declaring the first Black President of the United States, they'll take us seriously.
DO Something!
What bothered me most was not her hypocrisy, which I'll speak on later, but her blatant alienation of everyone who has ever worked for change in our country. Hey Palin, those "community organizers" you so foolishly mocked last night are the only reason you're even standing there! Correct me if I'm wrong but "community activism" or rather the solidarity of the American people has been the cornerstone of nearly every major movement in this country! Let's list some shall we:
1. The Abolitionist Movement - Ended Slavery, Helped Establish 14th Amendment
2. The Suffrage Movement - Voting Rights for Women, otherwise Palin would still be her husband's property
3. The Civil Rights Movement - Yeah Palin Martin Luther King was a "silly community organizer" too right?
4. The Black Panther Party - Fed more children in 10 months than the government did in 10 years
5. Unions - Were formed by working "community organizers"
6. Planned Parenthood - Could have probably given your daughter some birth control
7. The Obama Camp - a nation full of "community organizers" you just insulted, and we're gonna make you pay for it at the ballot box!
How dare your party criticize Obama for being an elitist and, in the same breath, look down upon the pioneers of this great nation! This is just the start of your long list of hypocrisy.
You get on the news and say, keeping the baby was my daughter's decision and the people/media should respect it, yet you're running a campaign that lets the government take the decision from other women, other families, even in the case of rape on incest. Moms with young daughters have to know what's at stake. When, yes I said when, your daughter decides to have sex will she have access to birth control? Or will you have to come out of pocket to pay for them because the federal government doesn't require insurance companies to pay for it? Or will you have to drive half-way across town because the clerk at your local pharmacy reserves his religious right not to fill your prescription? With no sex education will your daughter even know the risks of NOT practicing safe sex?
You bash Obama's experience, he's been running a campaign longer than you're been governor! You tear yourself away from the "Boys in Washington" but you have them introduce you, defend you, and speak about how great you'll be. You call Hillary a whiner and in the same breath invoke her great accomplishments as a stepping stone in your career. You spew lies and make generalizations about Obama's policies while never documenting any of your own, or McCain's for that matter.
You, Madam Governor, are a hypocrite, a liar, and an elitist. Go ahead, keep making fun of the community organizers, we'll organize to call you out on your lies. Keep preaching your "sexism" defense when they ask you about your pastor who said the war on terror was God's revenge against the Jews because they did not accept Christ. I bet Fox News won't bring that up. Furthermore, I don't know what they teach out there in Alaska but Jesus Christ was a JEW! Christianity is a religion formed from his teachings so Jesus himself could not have been a Christian. No, Obama's name isn't on any bill in Congress, he was too busy trying to bridge the divide your party created. Go ahead and make fun of his momentous and historical speech last Thursday, more people will be watching NFL football than your candidate; the football game will probably have more substance. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones; that goes the same for igloos!
It's not about Obama, as he himself so fervently put it, it's about the American people; the "community organizers" who got sprayed with water hoses, beaten, raped, murdered, bitten by dogs and criminalized so that you, Governor Palin, don't have to. You can just ride your high horse on the stage and dismiss everyone else. You might believe in Jesus but you aren't anyone’s savior.
It is ever more important now for us to rise up; show Palin and McCain that community organizers can and will win elections. Friends, tap your neighbors, your family; register them to vote! Explain to them why Obama is the representation of America's future and let's make the next 61 days count! Perhaps on November 5th, when we're declaring the first Black President of the United States, they'll take us seriously.
DO Something!
Global Warming or God's Mid-Life Crisis?
So I don't come off like an "Angry Leftist" as W so quaintly referred to us, I've decided to simply point out the fallacies of the McCain/Palin ticket with regards to policy. Global warming is such a hot button issue now because of the rising gas prices and melting ice caps and all that. Palin, who lives in ice-world, thinks global warming is simply a myth that the Left is manufacturing to thwart the billion dollar oil companies from making more money. Did none of these people pay attention in science class? (Bush is excused because in order to learn science you first have to be able to read the textbook) But the rest of these yahoos think this is just some natural act of God. Now regardless of your religious beliefs I think we can all agree that animals, as large as McCain's ego, once roamed the earth; either that or the Smithsonian is just really good at making a fake T-Rex. Furthermore, logic should tell you that there is significantly more pollution being produced on our planet than there was, say 100 years ago. I agree that there are natural events that influence the warming and cooling of the earth's surface, but I also know that if I fill my bathroom with hairspray and light a match I might be in some trouble.
And why would I even entertain the idea that someone from Big Oil Country would care about the environment? If I wanted to make a personal quip, I would probably mention the hypocrisy of Palin's whole outlook, how someone who opposes abortion is pro-hunting, but thank God I don't make those. I mean, if your idea of a fun Saturday morning is killing baby deer before protesting at an abortion clinic on Sunday then whatever floats your boat. Although the idea of taking life for sport offends me I'm going to let that discussion fall to another note, I digress...
The whole climate crisis that the Right tries to make a myth (maybe the gays are doing it with all their hot evil sex) is something we're going to regret in the long run. Both Palin and McCain have opposed environmental protection measures several times and since Big Oil is one of their campaign's biggest "gift-ers" I don't think they'll be changing their mind anytime soon. So, Jim Bob, keep driving your 2-ton diesel truck and burning all your trash and when your house gets berated by yet another Cat 5 hurricane, blame the Left for not praying hard enough!
And why would I even entertain the idea that someone from Big Oil Country would care about the environment? If I wanted to make a personal quip, I would probably mention the hypocrisy of Palin's whole outlook, how someone who opposes abortion is pro-hunting, but thank God I don't make those. I mean, if your idea of a fun Saturday morning is killing baby deer before protesting at an abortion clinic on Sunday then whatever floats your boat. Although the idea of taking life for sport offends me I'm going to let that discussion fall to another note, I digress...
The whole climate crisis that the Right tries to make a myth (maybe the gays are doing it with all their hot evil sex) is something we're going to regret in the long run. Both Palin and McCain have opposed environmental protection measures several times and since Big Oil is one of their campaign's biggest "gift-ers" I don't think they'll be changing their mind anytime soon. So, Jim Bob, keep driving your 2-ton diesel truck and burning all your trash and when your house gets berated by yet another Cat 5 hurricane, blame the Left for not praying hard enough!
Sarah Palin Experience, More Like SimCity
The population in Alaska according to the US Census Bureau 2007 tally is 683,478. The population of Rhode Island is 1,057,832; have you heard of a man named Donald Carcieri? He's the governor of Rhode Island, and he's a republican. The only thing I know about him is that he's not a woman, which is less than I know about Sarah Palin thanks to recent news. Our governor in Maryland, Martin O'Malley, effectively governs 5,618,344 people, Alaska's population is just 12% of the population in MD, just 8% of the population in New York City. They didn't want Mayor Rudy Guliani, why would we want Palin? Just think, if McCain dies, which is about as likely as a rain storm in Seattle, a person who's had the experience of governing 600 thousand people, will now have the responsibility for governing 305 million!
Now let's talk about Palin's radical policies, she is fanatically anti-choice. Her 17 year old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant. She will keep the baby and marry the father. Palin is noted as saying: "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family." That's great Palin, a perfect example of why Roe v. Wade should be overturned right? What about all the girls out there who are getting pregnant at 17 and younger and don't have the luxury of a "soccer-mom". What about their children? What kind of life are they going to get, foster-care, group homes, projects, bad schools, poor nutrition, crime, poverty; gee every American must be as well off as you. Oh that's right, the cost of living in Alaska is about that of Arkansas, where you can buy a 5 bedroom house for $110,000.
Furthermore, what kind of life is your daughter going to have, a baby raising a baby, I'm 22 and I don't even want to babysit. Her life is over, anything she could have done as a single, young adult, won't happen. And why was your 17 year old not practicing safe-sex? Oh that's right, condoms are a form of abortion right? What the hell is wrong with you? Let me tell you all something, I believe that life is started at conception, but if I were 17, and got pregnant, best believe I would have an abortion. It would not be an easy decision and would most certainly be one that stayed with me the rest of my life. But at 17, I am in no shape to take care of a child. Now I would accept full responsibility for having unprotected sex with some guy (sorry had to gag for a min) but I would not further my irresponsible act by putting another life through something that's my fault. That's the reality of the situation, people try to make abortion so plain and simple but things aren't as black and white as they are in Alaska, or should I say dawn and dusk.
So what does Sarah Palin have to offer the US? Check out the population statistics in AK, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/02000.html, it's about as demographically homogeneous as my old college, in Orange County. What could she possibly know about the hardships people in DC face, how about in New Orleans where people are still in FEMA trailers after 3 years? How about the south-side of Chicago?
What about Roe v. Wade, a bill she is so fanatically against? Roe v. Wade protected the right to privacy and was a major precedent in Lawrence v. Texas, the ruling banning sodomy laws on state books. If they rule that the government can have control over a woman's body, do you think they'll stop there? It will only be a matter of time before they're shutting down GLBT Alliance groups, and putting sodomy laws back on the books. Most of you think anti-miscegenation or anti-interracial marriage was taken off the books long ago, reality check, it was just passed in 1993. You think there's still not places where they try to bend the laws to criminalize interracial relationships? Have you been watching the news? You think it will stop there? Do you think that the Employee non-discrimination act will be passed with McCain's conservative Supreme court appointments? What about the Matthew Shepard act? Will we look at hate crimes now as simple assaults? Now this may sound like the same fear-mongering that the Republicans use but this is all logical conclusions drawn directly from the republican playbook.
Bottom line, I could run a town of 9,000; that doesn't mean I'm ready to run a country or for that matter understand all the dynamics of the great mixing bowl. We need a president who is for the people, all the people, and not just the ones you go to church with on Sunday.
Now let's talk about Palin's radical policies, she is fanatically anti-choice. Her 17 year old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant. She will keep the baby and marry the father. Palin is noted as saying: "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family." That's great Palin, a perfect example of why Roe v. Wade should be overturned right? What about all the girls out there who are getting pregnant at 17 and younger and don't have the luxury of a "soccer-mom". What about their children? What kind of life are they going to get, foster-care, group homes, projects, bad schools, poor nutrition, crime, poverty; gee every American must be as well off as you. Oh that's right, the cost of living in Alaska is about that of Arkansas, where you can buy a 5 bedroom house for $110,000.
Furthermore, what kind of life is your daughter going to have, a baby raising a baby, I'm 22 and I don't even want to babysit. Her life is over, anything she could have done as a single, young adult, won't happen. And why was your 17 year old not practicing safe-sex? Oh that's right, condoms are a form of abortion right? What the hell is wrong with you? Let me tell you all something, I believe that life is started at conception, but if I were 17, and got pregnant, best believe I would have an abortion. It would not be an easy decision and would most certainly be one that stayed with me the rest of my life. But at 17, I am in no shape to take care of a child. Now I would accept full responsibility for having unprotected sex with some guy (sorry had to gag for a min) but I would not further my irresponsible act by putting another life through something that's my fault. That's the reality of the situation, people try to make abortion so plain and simple but things aren't as black and white as they are in Alaska, or should I say dawn and dusk.
So what does Sarah Palin have to offer the US? Check out the population statistics in AK, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/02000.html, it's about as demographically homogeneous as my old college, in Orange County. What could she possibly know about the hardships people in DC face, how about in New Orleans where people are still in FEMA trailers after 3 years? How about the south-side of Chicago?
What about Roe v. Wade, a bill she is so fanatically against? Roe v. Wade protected the right to privacy and was a major precedent in Lawrence v. Texas, the ruling banning sodomy laws on state books. If they rule that the government can have control over a woman's body, do you think they'll stop there? It will only be a matter of time before they're shutting down GLBT Alliance groups, and putting sodomy laws back on the books. Most of you think anti-miscegenation or anti-interracial marriage was taken off the books long ago, reality check, it was just passed in 1993. You think there's still not places where they try to bend the laws to criminalize interracial relationships? Have you been watching the news? You think it will stop there? Do you think that the Employee non-discrimination act will be passed with McCain's conservative Supreme court appointments? What about the Matthew Shepard act? Will we look at hate crimes now as simple assaults? Now this may sound like the same fear-mongering that the Republicans use but this is all logical conclusions drawn directly from the republican playbook.
Bottom line, I could run a town of 9,000; that doesn't mean I'm ready to run a country or for that matter understand all the dynamics of the great mixing bowl. We need a president who is for the people, all the people, and not just the ones you go to church with on Sunday.
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